China sees good old friend in Albania

(Albanian Daily News)
Updated: 2009-08-24 16:28

China has said it regards the relations with Albania as an important part of its European foreign policy.

"China considers Albania an old good friend and a good partner in south-eastern Europe," the Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister, Wu Hongbo was quoted by an Albanian government press release as having told Premier Sali Berisha on Wednesday.

"We have supported Albania in its integration and development processes and will continue to do so," Hong said.

The senior Chinese diplomat is visiting Albania in the framework of bilateral preparations on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Hongbo conveyed to Berisha the greetings from the Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao who expressed the pleasure to meet the former at the Asian Economic Summit.

Premier Berisha declared that the bilateral relations between the two countries were very good and the economic and trade cooperation had a rising trend over the last two year.

"Chinese companies are welcomed to invest in fields of their interest like mining, energy, infrastructure, tourism, etc," said Berisha, giving assurances that the Albanian gover4nment would provide all the facilities to the Chinese businesses.

Hongbo was quoted by the government's statement as replying that "this invitation would be welcomed by the Chinese Premier as an historic development and encouragement of the relations between the two countries."

In addition the interlocutors spoke of the eventual signing of a Strategic Partnership Agreement between Albania and China and a soft credit for the Albanian government.

Hongbo said China was pleased by the growth of the last years' trade exchanges with Albania and China welcomed Albanian products to its vast market.

In the meantime Xinhua quoted Berisha as saying Albania would unswervingly adhere to a One China policy. "Albania attaches great importance to developing bilateral relations with China, and our two countries have been enjoying a traditional friendly relationship during the past 60 years," Berisha said.

"Long live the friendship between the peoples of China and Albania", a ubiquitous poster in China in 1960s